Destination Eden by Jim Payton
Chapter 29
News media worldwide clambered over each other for access to Janet and her story. Ridiculous sums of money were offered for exclusive interviews.
Jason and Eti initially shielded Janet from all the attention. They hired a Public Relations company and allowed it to deal with the media. Meanwhile, Jason and Eti formed a small management team made up of people who had been involved in the project from the beginning. They, and Janet, spent a month together going over Janet's experience. Climatic and geological experts assessed the likelihood of the conditions Janet had experienced. Psychiatrists and psychologists questioned her. She undertook lie detector tests. Medical Doctors examined her. Astronomers questioned her about the stars she had seen and where they were situated relative to her, and what the moon had looked like. They also wanted to know how hot the sun had been and how long the days and nights had been. Botanists questioned her about plants and those who study animals had their turn. Searchers went to the tree Janet had sought shelter under prior to entering what she believed was the Garden of Eden but found nothing fitting her description of the valley in which she said she had spent her time.
At the end of a month, Janet gave an exclusive interview to a Christian television channel. The host treated her courteously and she answered all the questions put to her. She was completely open about the fact that she did not know how she had entered the valley, or how she had left it. She described the animals and conditions, and accepted the fact that experts described her as 'delusional.' She denied that all she had said was designed to extort money by selling her story to the highest bidder. As she pointed out, she had received no payment from any one or anything.
Subsequently, Janet published a book reiterating all she had said during the television interview. It was published as a free EBook by an independent publisher.
Janet did not personally speak with Palmer, but acknowledged in the television interview, and EBook, that while she believed she had spent time in the Garden of Eden, she did not have the physical evidence that would win her the bet.
The television interview and EBook provided fodder for the talk back radio, and agenda driven anti-Christian organisations, but gradually the publicity died away.
EPILOGUE
The knock at the door interrupted Janet. She put aside the correspondence school papers she was marking at the kitchen table, and went to see who was visiting her. She did so somewhat reluctantly, as ever since she had returned to her house in New Zealand she had been the subject of harassment and ridicule.
She opened the door.
Prentice stood smiling at her. Janet debated closing the door and leaving him standing there. Her manners won the internal battle, and she stood aside.
"Come on in."
Janet made a drink for them both and once Janet pushed aside her work, they sat at the kitchen table.
"Teaching again are we?" asked Prentice indicating the papers.
"I have bills to pay," pointed out Janet. "They include the loan I raised against the house to pursue a course of action detailed by you. A course of action that has relegated me to the cranks of this world fit only to mark examination papers for correspondence students. I can't be allowed in front of real live students."
"Yes," agreed Prentice. "Somewhat unfortunate!"
"Why are you here," asked Janet?
"I have a possible small job that I think may be of some interest to you. One certainly suitable for you."
Janet calmly put her mug of tea to one side. She stood up and leaned forward with her hands palm down on the table.
"I do not want to hear what you have to say," said Janet. "In my mind, owing to the circumstances in which I have met you, I presumed you were some sort of Guardian Angel or Special Messenger sent to me. I now doubt that."
Janet indicated a small leafy plant growing in a pot on the bench.
"The only thing I can cling to, as far as my sanity is concerned, is that plant. Eti and I found one in a helicopter wreck, and after I returned from the Garden of Eden, I found a seedling of the same plant in my backpack. That plant only exists in three places on this planet: Eti's place after it was returned to him by the scientists who examined it, my place and where I saw it in Eden. I know Eden exists.
"You are a Dark Angel Mr. Prentice."
Janet opened the front door and indicated for Prentice to leave.
"You are one of the few, like me, who have seen Eden Mr. Prentice, and your mission is obviously to rubbish it as much as you can. But, I have also been there, and my mission is to prove it.
"I do not wish to see you ever again."
Janet closed the door behind Prentice.
"Please God," she whispered.
THE END
About Jim Payton
Jim Payton lives in Masterton, New Zealand with his wife Yvonne. Their five children have all left home (thank goodness) and they have twelve Grand children. Jim led a varied life prior to retiring, which included time as a Royal New Zealand Air Force Avionics fitter, a Detective in the New Zealand Police, several years as a Licensed Private Investigator, a carver of Greenstone (Pounamu to Maori), and nearly every other occupation you could think of if you put your mind to it.
Connect with Jim Payton
Jim can be contacted and followed at his Website
https://www.jimpayton.co.nz
Blog
https://www.pilgrimjim08.blogspot.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/Jim the pilgrim
Other books by Jim Payton
Ripples
A book of short stories for reading to children, based upon Christian and moral principles
The Begat Legacy
An adult fiction novel concerning a disgraced Detective who is believed to be a direct descendant of Jesus Christ.